Visual control system

ABSTRACT

A MODULAR DEVICE INCLUDING BACKING TRACKS, FRAME MEMBERS AND DIVERSE FACE PIECES WHEREIN INDIVIDUAL COLUMNAR BACKING TRACKS TRACK ARRAY BORDERING FRAME MEMBERS AND FACE PIECES CAN BE ADDED TO AND REMOVED FROM THE DEVICE AS NEEDED INFORMATION TO BE DISPLAYED. THE REAR CHARACTER OF THE INFORMATION TO BE DISPLAYED. THE REAR FACES OF THE FACE PIECES ARE PROVIDED WITH REARWARDLY PROJECTING UNDERCUT RAILS BY WHICH THEY ARE SLIGINGLY, REMOVABLE RECEIVED ON THE BACKING TRACKS, THE RAILS   EXTEND BETWEEN OPPOSITE EDGES OF RESPECTIVE FACE PIECES IN ORDER TO PREVENT BUCKLING AND ENSURE FLUSHNESS AND SQUARENESS OF THE FACE PIECES WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER. THE FOREGOING ABSTRACT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A DIGEST OF THE PRINCIPLES OR SCOPE OF THE INVENTION DISCLOSED IN THIS DOCUMENT.

March 26, 1974 w. F. POLLACCO Re. 27,952

VISUAL CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed March 16 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1March 26, 1974 w PQLLACCQ Re. 27,952

VI SUAL CONTROL S YSTEM Original Filed March 16, 1967 3 SheetsSheetMarch 26, 1974 w E po cco Re. 27,952

VISUAL CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed March 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet Zjl/l/l'l/l/l/l/ sococo United States Patent Oflice Reissued Mar. 26,1974 27,952 VISUAL CONTROL SYSTEM William F. Pollacco, Capitol Heights,Md., assiguon to David A. Route, Alexandria, and Harvey R. Lampshlre,Arlington, Va., Robert A. Diemer, Prince Georges County, Md., Bernard A.Schriever, Washington, D.C., and Walter Bogley, Mount Rainier, Md.,fractional part interest to each Original No. 3,475,843, dated Nov. 4,1969, Ser. No. 623,656, Mar. 16, 1967. Application for reissue Oct. 22,1971, Ser. No. 191,787

Int. Cl. G091 1/12, 7/08 US. CI. 40-63 R 23 Claims Matter enclosed inheavy brackets If appears in the original patent but forms no part ofthis reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A modular device including backing tracks,frame members and diverse face pieces wherein individual columnarbacking tracks track array bordering frame members and face pieces canbe added to and removed from the device as needed depending upon theamount and character of the information to be displayed. The rear facesof the face pieces are provided with rearwardly projecting undercutrails by which they are slidingly, removably received on the backingtracks. The rails extend between opposite edges of respective facepieces in order to prevent buckling and ensure fiushness and squarenessof the face pieces with respect to one another. The foregoing abstractis not intended to be a digest of the principles or scope of theinvention disclosed in this document.

Background of the invention Visual control systems are in wide, andincreasing, use both in business and in government for displayinginformation in a compact easily understood form. Among planners suchsystems are used in architectural layouts, engineering drawings, printedcircuit and microminiature circuit layout PERT planning, EDP programmingand the like. Similar systems are also used to provide organizationaland functional charts, advertising displays, educational aids, projectcontrol, personnel duty schedules, call boards and the like. Amongmanagement, visual control systems are used to display budget progress,bar charts, job progress, production control, parameters, vehiclemaintenance schedules, sales analysis, inventory and stock control; bus,train, plane, ship arrivals and departures and the like.

In some instances, visual control systems are made up, photographed thenchanged or dismantled, the photograph being used as illustrations intext books, weekly news magazines, corporate annual reports and thelike. In other instances, such visual control systems are made upspecifically for use upon a single occasion for instance a meeting ofmanagement to consider the pros and cons of making a particularinvestment. Other visual control systems are made up and displayedindefinitely, with additions or changes being made in the informationdis played in order to keep the systems current.

Prior art visual control systems are generally not suited to all threetypes of uses just mentioned, are adapted to display a narrow range ofinformation media and are ill adapted to changing requirements so thatthey often must be scrapped and replaced before their components havebecome worn. For instance, a sales division of a company may have foursalesmen which visit the trade selling its three products. The prior artstencilled grid visual control system includes a monthlychanging displayof the relative success of each salesman (four columns) in selling eachproduct (three rows). With the passage of, for instance eight monthsfrom the time the prior art visual control device was purchased, onesalesman may have been promoted to sales manager, one salesman may havedeparted, the company may have begun marketing a line of three newproducts and four new salesmen may have been hired. Because the priorart visual control system was not able to adapt to these changes, itbecame progressively less useful during the eight months period and hadto be scrapped.

In another example, it is not unusual for a graphic artist to spend aweek or more of working time on a visual control device, then find thatthrough mistake or faulty communication, one or more columns in themiddle of the system were transposed, omitted or were not supposed tohave been made a part of the system. Most prior art visual controlsystems are sufiiciently inflexible that when such a mistake ormisunderstanding has occurred, the graphic artist must start all overagain and prepare another device.

Summary of the invention It is the purpose of the present invention toprovide a visual control system that can be used to display a wide rangeof information for diverse purposes using many types ofinformation-conveying media, wherein the system can accommodateexpansion, contraction and radical change in the amount and character ofthe information to be displayed and which can be corrected at the time amistake is made without necessity for redoing of the display orindividual manipulation of large numbers of information conveying media.

Brief description of the drawing The invention may be best understoodhaving reference to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferredembodiment is illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view of a visual control system accordingto the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper left region ofthe system of FIGURE 1, showing modular means for increasing the heightof the indicia receiving array;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the left side region ofthe system of FIGURE 1, showing modular means for increasing the widthof the indicia receiving array;

FIGURES 4, S and 6 are fragmentary sectional views respectively takenalong lines 44, 55 and 66 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURES 7a-7f are perspective views of different individual face piecesfor use with the system of FIG- URE l; and

FIGURE 8 is a front elevation view of part of a mixed media face piecearray in use on the system of FIG- URE 1.

Description of the preferred embodiment The basic device 10 comprises abottom frame element 12; top frame front and rear frame elements 14, 16;left and right side frame elements 18, 20 respectively includingintegral lower corner brackets 22, 24; upper corner brackets 26, 28,face piece holder backing sections 30 in which face pieces 32 areremovably received. To expand the basic devices 10, bottom frame elementextensions 12a; top frame front and rear frame element extensions 14a,16a, left and right side frame element extensions 18a, 20a, additionalface piece holder backing sections 30, face piece holder backing sectionextensions 30a and additional face pieces 32 are used as will be morefully explained hereinafter.

As shown in the drawings, the bottom frame element 12 is generallyhorizontal and rectilinear, having a central upwardly openinglongitudinal channel 34 defined between two rectangular generallytubular elements 36. The latter as seen in transverse cross-section aregenerally C-shaped laterally outwardly, being slotted at 38 and having acommon base with the floor 41 of the channel 34. The element 12, as mostof the elements of the visual control system may conveniently beextruded in long sections from metals such as aluminum, magnesium, orthe like, plastics, or be otherwise formed for instance by the bendingof sheet metal then cut into appropriate lengths.

Because of the slots 38 the tubular elements 36 are expansible andcontractile to a limited extent.

The left and right side frame elements 18, 20 as shown, are mirror imagereplicas of one another. Describing the left element 18, shown best inFIGURE 3, the generally vertically elongated rectilinear element 18 isprovided at its lower end with an integral, right angle corner bracket22 that has a horizontal rightwardly extending portion 40. The latter isgenerally tubular, having a bore 42 complementarily configured to snuglyslidingly receive the left end of the bottom frame element 12. Resilientcontraction of the bottom frame element 12 and tubular elements 36accomplishes frictional securement of the corner bracket 22 at thedesired location on the bottom frame element 12.

In order to maximise the usable horizontal length of the device 10, thetop of the corner bracket portion 40 is slotted at 43 from its rightwardend, back to 44 in line with the right edge 46 of the remainder of theleft element 18. To ensure structural integrity of the corner bracket 22and squareness of the device 10, the bracket 22 is provided with anintegral triangular web 48 which joins the corner bracket portion 40behind the slot 43 and joins the vertically extending remainder of thecorner bracket and left element 18 at the rear of the lower extent ofthe left element 18 at 50.

Upwardly from the corner bracket 22, the left frame element 18 is ofconstant transverse cross-section, resembling, as seen from above intransverse cross-section, two H shaped portions having their verticalmembers in alignment, being spaced from one another except for a webwhich integrally joins the lower end of the left vertical member of theupper H shaped portion to the upper end of the left vertical member ofthe lower H shaped portion. Thus, returning to the orientation of FIGURE3, the left frame element has oppositely laterally opening verticallyelongated channels 52, 54 in its two sides and a forwardly opening,vertically elongated channel 56 in its front face 58. At its upper end,the rear of the left frame element is provided with a lock tab 60 whichproceeds laterally leftwardly, then forwardly, having a socket 62 formedin its forwardly extending portion.

The upper right-angle corner brackets 26, 28 are mirror image replicasof one another and strongly resemble their lower corner bracketcounterparts. Parts which are substantially the same have been givenprimed numerals. The left upper corner bracket 26 will now be described.

The bracket 26 comprises a vertical downwardly extending portion 64 atits left and an upper, rightwardly extending horizontal portion 66. Thelatter is generally biluminal tubular, having side-by-side generallyrectangular bores 68. 70.

The bracket 26 is adjustably secured to the left side frame element bytwo opposed tabs 72, 74 which protrude rearwardly then toward oneanother from opposite vertical side margins of the bracket portion 64,these being slidingly received in the channels 52 and 54 respectively;and by a spring urged clamp 76 mounted on the bracket portion 64. Theclamp 76 normally resiliently frictionally engages the front face of theleft frame element at 78, but vertical movement of the bracket 26 can beeffected by depressing the tongue 80 of the clamp, bringing the 4 clampto the new desired position and releasing the tongue 80.

The frame of the basic device 10 is completed by a top frame rearelement 16 which is resiliently slidingly received in and extendsbetween bores 68 of brackets 26, 28 and by a top frame front element 14which is resiliently slidingly received in and extends between bores ofbrackets 26, 28. The elements 14 and 16 are generally parallel,coextensive and spaced a short distance from one another with respect tothe front-to-back dimension of the device 10 so as to define ahorizontally extending vertically opening gap 82. Each element 14, 16 isgenerally rectangular tubular, slotted down one side to provideresiliency. A vertically upwardly opening detent or opening 84 is formedin the upper surface of each element 14, 16 near each end thereof. Thebracket 26 is adjustably secured to the elements 14, 16 by a springurged clamp 86 mounted on the top of the bracket portion 66. The clamp86 has two downwardly directed prongs 88, 90 respectively positioned topass through vertical openings 92, 94 in the bracket portion 66 andengage in the detents or openings 84 of the left ends of the elements14, 16. Corresponding elements on the bracket 28 secure it to theelements 14, 16 at the right ends thereof. The spring 96 normally urgesthe prongs 88, 90 into the detents or openings 84, but horizontalmovement of the bracket 26 can be effected by depressing the tongue 98of the clamp 86, bringing the clamp to the new desired position andreleasing the tongue 98.

It should now be noticed that the forward wall of the longitudinalchannel 34 of the bottom frame element is provided with a head 99 whichprojects into the channel along its length to constrict the channel. Aplurality of face piece holder backing sections 30 are removablyreceived in the frame of the device 10 from above. Each section 30 asseen in transverse cross-section has a central web 100 and an L-shapedflange means at each lateral edge of the front and rear faces thereofdefining an undercut rearwardly facing channel 102 and an undercutforwardly facing channel 104 on each section 30. As shown the sections30 are generally of constant cross-sectional shape and may convenientlybe extruded of plastics or metal. The sections 30 as shown are furtherprovided with a groove 106 running centrally down the left side of eachand a complementary tongue 108 running centrally down the right side ofeach. Fore and aft of the tongues and grooves, the section sides arenormal to the front of the display 10. Accordingly, adjacent sectiontongues and grooves interfit with one another and the abutment ofadjacent section sides keeps the array of sections 30 desirablycoplanar. The sections 30 are each slipped through the gap 82 andadvanced downwardly until their lower ends bottom in the channel 34. Theforward face of each section 30 immediately adjacent the lower endthereof is preferably provided with a protuberance 110 which resilientlysnaps over the channel bead 99 as the sections 30 are advanced intoplace. This interengagement is sufficient to prevent the sections 30from falling out even if the device 10 is turned upside down, butinsufficient to prevent intentional upward removal of individualsections 30 by tugging.

With attention to FIGURES 57, each faces piece 32 comprises a generallyplanar, vertical forward portion 112 from which a pair of parallel,laterally spaced vertical rearwardly projecting tabs 114 extend. Theportions 112 are preferably square or rectangular and include horizontalupper and lower edges 116, 118. The tabs 114 terminate flush with therespective edges 116, 118. At the rearward ends thereof, the tabs 114 oneach face piece 32 diverge from one another. The face pieces 32 arepreferably formed of stifily resilient material such as syntheticthermoplastic material or aluminum. Accordingly, each face piece 32 canbe individually snapped into and removed from the forwardly openingundercut channels of the face piece holder backing sections 30. Becausethe tabs 114 are vertically coextensive with the faces 112 they act ascolumns on each section 30 to prevent buckling of the lower face piecesunder the weight of upper face pieces.

The individual face pieces 32 can carry a variety of information using avariety of media according to the present invention. The front 112 ofthe face piece 32a is shown in FIGURE 7a and FIGURE 8 is provided with amodular grid 120 facing especially suited for quantitative and spatialplanning as well as visually representing alternative courses in problemsolution. Those familiar with visual representation of information willrealize that many techniques can be employed in placing information onthe grid 120, such as grease pencil, felt tipped pen, pressure sensitivecolored tape lines and symbols, and the like.

The front 112 of the face piece 32b shown in FIGURE 7b and FIGURE 8 isprovided with front-to-back. holes 122 set in a modular rectangular gridpattern for removably receiving pegs of indicia markers. The front 112of the face piece 320 shown in FIGURES 7c and 8 is integrally providedalong its upper and lower margins with a pair of forwardly projectingflanges 124 which extend toward one another at their forward ends forhorizontally slidingly receiving a card having indicia thereon. Anothercard holder face piece 32d is shown in FIGURES "7d and 8. The front 112of the latter is provided with one or more diagonal slits or cornermounts 126 for removably receiving the one or more corners of an indiciabearing card. As shown in FIGURE 8, each card holder face piece 32d hasone corner mount 126. Thus a card C is cooperatively carried by thecorner mounts of four correspondingly arrayed face pieces 32d.

The face piece 32c of FIGURES 7e and 8 has a magnetic front 112 forremovably retaining indicia markers having ferromagnetic bits in them.Conversely, the face piece 32 front can be made of unmagnetizedferromagnetic material for receiving indicia markers having permanentlymagnetized bits in them. The face piece 32f of FIGURES 7f and 8 hasindicia directly, permanently applied to the face 112 thereof, forinstance by printing or labeling thereon.

Now having more particular attention to FIGURES 2 and 3, the method andmeans for enlarging and contracting the potential indicia array will bediscussed in more detail. To provide for vertical expansion andcontraction of the basic display 10, backing section extensions 128 areprovided, each having a transverse crosssection identical to that of thesections 30, throughout most of its length and each being provided atits lower end with a rear, downwardly axially extending tongue 13!]constructed and arranged to be slidingly received in an undercutrearwardly facing channel 102 of a respective section 30. The tongues130 each have a bead 132 of stiffly resilient material, which is notessentially of the same material as the respective tongue 130,constructed and arranged to frictionally engage the rear face of therespective section 30 central web 100 to removably lock the extensionsin place. It should be evident that extensions 128 of different lengthscan be provided for instance to increase the height of the display arraythree inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc. Likewise verticalextension of the left and right side frame elements 18 and 20 isprovided by left and right side frame extensions of which a left one 134is shown in FIGURE 2; a right one is a mirror image replica thereof.

The left side frame element extension 134 has a transverse cross-sectionidentical to that of the left side frame element 18 throughout most ofits length, being provided at its lower end with a beaded tongue 136similar to the tongue 130 for frictional sliding receipt in the top ofthe channel 56 in the front face of the left frame element 18. Themember 134 is also provided at the left near its lower end with a locktab 138 which proceeds laterally leftwardly, then forwardly having adetent 140 formed in its forwardly extending portion for cooperativelocking engagement with the socket 62 on the lock tab 60.

To extend the visual control device vertically, the extensions 128 and134 are first emplaced, then the corner brackets 26, 28 and frameelements 14, 16 are moved upwardly as a unit by depressing the tonguesand elevating the unit to a new position near the upper ends of theextensions 128 and 134. The potential indicia array has thus beenincreased in height and further face pieces can be added to create newrows. Vertical contraction of the visual control device should beunderstood to involve a reversal of the steps just described.

To provide for horizontal expansion and contraction of the basic display10, bottom frame element, top frame front element and top frame rearelement leftward extensions 142, 144, 146 are provided each having atransverse cross-section substantially identical to that of the elementwhich it extends, throughout most of its length, and being provided atits right end with an axially rightwardly extending tongue means 148,150, 152, 154.

The bottom frame element extension 142 includes tongues 148, 150constructed and arranged to be slidingly received in the left ends oftwo tubes 36. The tongue 150 has a leaf spring 156 extending axiallyrightwardly thereon, having fixed end 158 and a free end 160. A lockbutton 162 secured on the spring free end is constructed and arranged topop forwardly into a front-to-back hole 164 formed in the front of theforward tube 36 a short distance rightwardly of the left end thereof.

Similarly, the top frame front element extension 144 and top frame rearelement extension 146, respective tongues 152 and 154 are respectivelyprovided with leaf springs 166, 168 extending axially rightwardlythereon, having fixed ends 170 and free ends 172. A lock button 174 issecured on the free end of each spring 166, 168 and is constructed andarranged to pop into front-to back holes 176, 178 formed in the rear andfront of the respective elements 16, 14 a short distance rightwardly ofthe left ends thereof.

To extend the visual control device horizontally, the extensions 142,144 and 146 are slid and locked into the elements they respectivelyextend, then the corner brackets 26, 22 and left side frame element areslid leftwardly as a unit by depressing the tongue 98 and sliding theunit to a new position near the left ends of the extensions 142, 144 and146. The tongue 98 is then released and the prongs 88, 90 engage indetents or openings 180, 182 formed in the upper surface of the left endregions of the extensions 144, 146. The potential indicia has thus beenincreased in width and further face piece holder backing sections 30 canbe inserted in the frame in the opening created and new columns of facepieces 32 can be emplaced on the added sections 30. Horiontalcontraction of the visual control device should be understood asinvolving a reversal of the steps just described.

The versatility of the display just described should now be evident.Individual face pieces can be replaced from anywhere in the face piecearray, rows and columns can be added, removed, exchanged and replaced.Mistakes can be corrected without wastage of time and material andchanging conditions and requirements can be accommodated over a longperiod.

It should be understood that various modifications can be maderespecting the illustrative emodiments described herein withoutdeparting from the essential principles of the invention that has beendisclosed. Accordingly, the invention should be understood asencompassing all such modifications as are within the spirit and scopeof the following claims.

I claim:

1. A visual control system comprising: left side, right side, upper andlower frame elements; means securing said frame elements to one anotherat corners to define a frame; a plurality of individual face pieceholder backing sections removably receivable in said frame inside-byside relationship, each having a face presented forwardly; eachface piece holder backing section being constructed and arranged toremovably receive and retain a column of face pieces on the forwardlypresented face thereof; backing section extensions each having atransverse cross sectional shape substantially identical to, andrespective of said face piece holder backing sections throughout most ofits length and being provided at its lower end with tongue means forremovably securing respective of said backing section extensions torespective of said face piece holder backing section upper ends; leftand right side frame element extensions each having a transverse crosssectional shape substantially identical to respective of said left sideand right side frame elements throughout most of its length and beingprovided at its lower end with tongue means for removably securingrespective of said left and right side frame element extensions torespective of said left and right side frame element upper ends; themeans securing said left and right frame elements to one anothercomprising upper left and right corner brackets vertically selectivelypositionable on said left and right side frame element, and left andright side frame element extensions.

2. The visual control system of claim 1 wherein each face piece holderhacking section forwardly presented face includes a vertical central webhaving a forwardly extending flange along each side margin thereof, theflanges at the forward ends thereof each having a portion extending ashort distance toward the other defining an undercut, forwardly openingchannel; a column of face pieces removably received in each channel invertically stacked, forwardly substantially flush arrangement; each facepiece comprising: a generally planar rectangular front portion having afront face and a rear face; means on said front face for receiving anddisplaying indicia thereon; and a pair of generally parallel, laterallyspaced, vertical rearwardly projecting tabs integrally extruding fromsaid rear face, said tabs terminating upwardly and downwardly flush withthe respective upper and lower edges of the front portion and havingintegral, oppositely laterally directed flanges thereof at the rearwardends thereof; the flanges on said tabs cooperating with the flanges atthe margins of the webs to hold said face pieces on the respective facepiece holder backing sections.

3. The visual control system of claim 1 further comprising extensionmeans for extending the upper and lower frame elements leftwardly; themeans for securing the upper and lower frame members to one anothercomprising said upper left corner bracket and a lower left cornerbracket, the upper and lower left corner brackets being horizontallyselectively positionable on said upper and lower frame elements andextension means for increasing and decreasing the face piece holderbacking section receiving area bounded by said frame.

4. The visual control system of claim 1 wherein each face piece holderbacking section has a laterally outwardly opening groove runingcentrally vertically along one side thereof and a complementarylaterally outwardly directed tongue running centrally vertically alongthe opposite side thereof for interdigitating adjacent face piece holderbacking sections; the face piece holder backing section respectivesides, fore and aft of the groove and tongue thereon, being normal tothe front of the system, and being constructed and arranged to abut therespective sides of adjacent face piece holder backing sections wheninterdigitated, to maintain the face piece holder backing sections in acopolanar condition respecting the forward faces thereof.

5. The visual control system of claim 1 wherein the lower frame elementcomprises an upwardly opening U-shaped channel member adapted to receiveand support the lower ends of the face piece holder backing sections.

6. The visual control system of claim 5 further comprising interengaginglocking means on the U-shaped channel member interiority thereof and onthe face piece holder backing sections near the lower ends thereof forretaining the face piece holder backing sections in the frame whileproviding for intentional removal therefrom.

7. The visual control system of claim 6 wherein the upper frame elementcomprises two generally horizontal, parallel generally tubular elementsspaced from one another in the front-to-back direction respecting thevisual control system so as to define a laterally elongated verticallyopening gap therebetween, said face piece holder backing sections beingreceived downwardly into said frame through said gap and having theupper ends thereof held between said two tubular elements.

8. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said face piece tabs andflanges are composed of stiffly resilient material.

9. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said receiving means ofat least one said face piece comprises a surface adapted to receivemarkings thereon.

10. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said receiving means ofat least one said face piece comprises a modular rectangular grid onsaid front face thereof.

11. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said receiving means ofat least one said face piece comprises a modular rectangular pattern ofholes constructed and arranged for removably receiving indicia markerpegs.

12. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said receiving means ofat least one said face piece comprises a pair of flanges integrallyforwardly projecting from said front face along the upper and lowermargins thereof, having flange portions extending toward one another atthe forward ends of the flanges for removably horizontally slidinglyreceiving indicia bearing cards.

13. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said receiving means ofat least one said face piece comprises at least one oblique slot in saidfront face thereof constructed and arranged for removably receiving onecorner of an indicia bearing card.

14. The visual control system of claim 2 wherein said receiving means ofat least one said face piece comprises a ferromagnetic surface on saidfront face thereof.

15. A visual control system comprising: left side, right side, upper andlower frame elements; means securing said frame element to one anotherat corners to define a frame; a plurality of individual face pieceholder backing sections removably receivable in said frame inside-by-side relationship, each having a face presented forwardly; eachface piece holder backing section being constructed and arranged toremovably receive and retain a column of face pieces on the forwardlypresented face thereof; extension means for extending the upper andlower frame elements in one horizontal sense to widen said system; themeans for securing the upper and lower frame members to one anothercomprising an upper one corner bracket and a corresponding lower onecorner bracket, the upper and lower one corner brackets beinghorizontally selectively positionable on said upper and lower frameelements and on said extension means, for increasing and decreasing theface piece holder backing section receiving area bounded by said frame.

16. A visual control system comprising: left side, right side, upper andlower frame elements; means securing said frame elements to one anotherat corners to define a frame; a plurality of individual face pieceholder backing sections removably receivable in said frame inside-by-side relationship, each having a face presented forwardly; eachface piece holder backing section being constructed and arranged toremovably receive and retain a column of face pieces on the forwardlypresented face thereof; the means for securing said frame elements toone another at the corners comprising four corner brackets respectivelyfor connecting the upper and left side frame elements, the upper andright side frame elements, the lower and left side frame elements andthe lower and right side frame elements; at least two like frameelements being provided with respective, removable extension means oftransverse cross section, similar thereto for lengthening and shorteningthe respective frame elements to increase and decrease the face pieceholder backing section receiving area bounded by said frame; respectivetwo adjacent of said corner brackets being selectively positionable onthe frame elements having said removable extension means and upon saidextension means themselves; means for locking said two adjacent cornerbrackets on the last-mentioned frame elements and extension means.

17. A visual control system comprising: left side, right side, upper andlower frame elements; means securing said frame elements to one anotherat corners to define a frame; left and right side frame elementextensions each having a transverse crosssectional shape substantiallyidentical to respective of said left side and right side frame elementsthroughout most of its length and being provided at its lower end withtongue means for removably securing respective of said left and rightside frame element extensions to respective of said left and right sideframe element upper ends; the means securing said left and right frameelements to one another including upper left and right corner bracketsvertically selectively positionable on said left and right side frameelement and on said left and right side frame element extensions.

18. The visual control system of claim 17 further comprising extensionmeans for extending the upper and lower frame elements in a horizontaldirection; the means for securing the upper and lower frame members toone another including an upper corner bracket and a lower corner bracketon the side of said frame corresponding to said horizontal direction,said upper and lower corner brackets being horizontally selectivelypositionable on said upper and lower frame elements and said extensionmeans for increasing and decreasin he area bounded by said frame.

19. The visual control system of claim 17 wherein the lower frameelement comprises an upwardly opening U- shap-ed channel member adaptedto receive and support the lower end of means for displaying indiciawithin the area bounded by said frame.

20. The visual control system of claim I9 further comprisinginterengaging locking means on the U-shaped channel member interiorlythereof for retaining the means for displaying indicia within the areabounded by said frame in the frame while providing for intentionalremoval therefrom.

21. The visual control system of claim 20 wherein the upper frameelement comprises two generally horizontal, parallel generally tubularelements spaced from one another in the front-to-back directionrespecting the visual control system so as to define a laterallyelongated vertically opening gap therebetween through which means fordisplaying indicia within the area bounded by said 10 frame may beremovably received so as to have the upper extent thereof held betweensaid two tubular elements.

22. A visual control system comprising: left side, right side, upper andlower frame elements; means securing said frame elements to one anotherat corners to define a frame; extension means for extending the upperand lower frame elements in one horizontal sense to widen said system;the means for securing the upper and lower frame members to one anotherincluding an upper one corner bracket and a corresponding lower onecorner bracket, the upper and lower one corner brackets beinghorizontally selectively positionable along the lengths of said upperand lower frame elements and along the lengths of said extension means,for increasing and decreasing the area bounded by said frame.

23. A visual control system comprising: left side, right side, upper andlower frame elements; means securing said frame elements to one anotherat corners to define a frame; the means for securing said frame elementsto one another at the corners comprising four corner bracketsrespectively for connecting the upper and left side frame elements, theupper and right side frame elements, the lower and left side frameelements and the lower and right side frame elements; at least two likeframe elements being provided with respective, removable extension meansof transverse cross-section similar thereto for lengthening andshortening the respective frame elements for increasing and decreasingthe area bounded by said frame; respective two of said corner bracketsbeing selectively positionable along the lengths of the frame elementshaving said removable extension means and along the lengths of saidextension means themselves; means for locking said two corner bracketson the lastmentioned frame elements and extensioin means.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,346,691 7/1920 Babcock 40-15S 1,121,809 12/1914DeSilva 40--63 2,866,286 12/1958 Hartman 40155 3,076,890 2/1963 Guth40l43 UX 3,289,340 12/1966 Edwards 40-143 FOREIGN PATENTS 707,382 4/1931France 40-143 628,438 11/1961 Italy 40-63 R WILLIAM H. GRIEB, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 40155

